When the seasons change will you stand by me? - wolfstar

Healing

"Are you family?" asked the healer.

Remus frowned. What about the publicly broadcasted trial had assured anyone that Sirius Black had any blood relatives that could be considered any sort of proper family? Who would visit him then? His abusive mother?

"As good as." Remus said.

"I'm sorry but only family can be allowed entry." The healer said looking not all sorry.

"Bloody hell..." Remus whispered under his breath as he took a deep breath and prepared for saying something he really didn't want to say or at the very least exploit. "Look, I'm his boyfriend, okay? Isn't that good enough?" He hadn't technically lied. They had never technically broken up.

"Fine," The healer rolled his eyes, bored. "I don't get paid enough for this" he whispered under his breath.

Remus didn't waste a second and burst through the door before he could properly think about what could possibly meet him on the other side of the door.

Nothing, however, could have prepared him for the sight that he beheld when he stepped inside the room. In the middle of the room lied Sirius, waxy, malnourished, and asleep; no one had seemed to bother with cutting or combing his long and dishevelled hair that had once been his pride and joy. On either side of the bed sat Walburga Black with embroidery in hand and his ancient grandfather Arcturus Black who held a copy of the Daily Prophet in his hands.

They seemed to have been deep in conversation before Remus had burst in.

Walburga scowled at him. Arcturus regarded him with a curious yet bored gaze.

"It is family only." hissed Walburga Black.

"That's rich," Remus remarked coolly. "Considering how you've treated him you'd think you were nothing of the sort."

Walburga seemed to rise several inches, "How dare you insult your betters?"

Remus chuckled drily, "Funny. You're better for torturing your son? You must be off your rocker."

Walburga's eyes blazed, "Filthy half-breed, how dare you –"

"Cut it, Walburga." Arcturus interrupted looking up from the paper. "You make fools of us all."

Remus stopped in his tracks. He had been ready to argue back to Walburga but then to his great surprise, her father-in-law/first cousin once removed had shut her up. He couldn't help but admire the man.

"I apologise profusely on behalf of my daughter, Mr Lupin. She ought to know when to hold her tongue." Arcturus eyed Walburga scornfully. "The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black extends our deepest gratitude for your effort in freeing its heir. Please sit."

Walburga opened her mouth to say something, but Arcturus gave her a look over his paper that made her stop.

Remus's admiration for Arcturus faltered when the ancient man talked about Sirius as a pawn in a chess game but decided that it was best that he too held his tongue. Arcturus was in fact quite the intimidating figure. Despite his great age, he was dressed as a regal duke who with the wave of a hand could change the entire course of history if he so desired.

Remus sat a little distance away from Arcturus. They were all quiet for a while.

"Walburga, would you mind leaving?" Arcturus said after a while.

Walburga looked up from her embroidery with a frown. "He is my son!" she hissed. "I will not leave him."

"Walburga." Arcturus said warningly.

Remus never thought he'd see the Black family matriarch shrink from anyone, but that she did.

Walburga stood, packed her embroidery into a small purse and walked out with a scowl on her face. The door shut with a bang and as if on cue, Sirius opened an eye carefully regarding his company before sitting up in the bed. "Thank Merlin she's gone."